the canoe.

As evening was now approaching, they became thoroughly alarmed, and a
more rigorous plan of search was instituted. Reuben was sent off with
one Indian to proceed down the river as far as he could go before night
came on, with directions to continue the journey in the morning as far
as to the place where they had encamped the preceding evening.
Mackenzie with the other Indian again went off up the river, intending
to make a thorough search in that direction. They had no food with
them, but, having their guns and the means of making fire, they had no
anxiety on that score, except in regard to an immediate meal, for game
was scarcer than usual at that particular spot.

It was agreed that if both should fail of success, they were to return
to the place where they then separated. But their anxieties were
brought to an end sooner than they had hoped for. Not very long after
parting, Mackenzie heard a very far-off shot, and then another, and in a
few minutes an answering double shot at a still greater distance. These
being the concerted signals, he knew that the canoe party must have been
discovered by Reuben; he therefore retraced his steps with a light
heart, despite the fact that he had worn the moccasins off his feet, and
was completely drenched with rain. It turned out that the delay had
been occasioned by the breaking of the canoe, and the consequent
necessity of landing to repair damages. Indeed, the sorely-battered
craft had become almost a wreck. As a fitting climax to this disastrous
day, the night finished off with thunder, lightning, and rain.

While thus forcing their way to the head-waters of the river, they met
with a small party of miserable-looking natives, who received them at
first with violent demonstrations of an intention to immolate them on
the spot if they should dare to land. It was evident that the poor
creatures had been subjected to bad treatment and deception by other and
more powerful tribes, because they remained in a state of great
suspicion and anxiety even after the interpreter had stated earnestly
that the intentions of the white men were friendly, and after gifts had
been presented to them. By degrees, however, they became more
confident, and as their anxieties diminished their curiosity increased.

"I do believe," said Lawrence, "that the critters have never seen white
folk before."

To most people it might have seemed ridiculous to have heard that
bronzed _voyage